Golfing With Kids

MikeMay 29, 2013

Golf is a sport that requires patience, precision and a whole lot of practice. Getting kids to engage with any of those things can seem a little tricky, but actually, if you do it right, getting your kids involved with the game can be one of the most fun and rewarding experiences. A round of golf gets you and them out in the fresh air, there’s space for learning and some healthy competition, and you can even see the world as you take them to visit golf courses. Once you’ve got your Golf Travel Insurance, gather the kids, and set off for some great family bonding, as well as the chance to play your favourite game. Here are four excellent places to do it:

1) Between July 8th and 14th, over 650 courses around Canada will be allowing kids under 16 to play for free, as part of the Take A Kid To The Course programme. Even if you can’t manage to visit during those days, Canada makes a great golfing destination for the whole family, particularly in areas like British Columbia. With hundreds of golf courses, plenty of affordable accommodation, beautiful scenery and, best of all, a real warm and welcoming culture, this is one of the best places to take the family.

2) The golfing world in Portugal may have the reputation of attracting the older generation, but the country is ever so family-friendly, so why not combine your golf and family holiday? The organisers of the Oceanico World Kids Golf Championship have done just that with their July event in the Algarve. If you’re looking for a place to go that is already prepared to welcome the little ones onto the course, the Amendoeira Golf Resort is the perfect place for you. With sunshine, and beaches nearby, and all sorts of activities at the resort to keep the kids busy if you want to squeeze in a grown-up round, you’re in for a lovely break if you take the family to the Algarve.

3) If your kids are really new to golf, it’s a great idea to get them some professional instruction. If you’re thinking of getting some tuition, there is no better place to learn than the U.S. The country that has produced some of the world’s top golfers is all about honing the craft, and there are no teachers more patient than American ones. The U.S. Kids Golf organization has a list of all the available family golf courses, which not only offer your kids an insight into the game, but will help you tune up your skills too. So why not combine the golf side of things with a trip to some of the kids’ favourite amusement parks in Florida?

4) There’s nothing like a family holiday to South Africa. But the opportunity to see the world’s most majestic animals on safari, and some of the beautiful scenery like Table Mountain, are not the only reasons you should go. In the last 30 years, golf has really raised its profile here, and the country now plays home to some of the best courses and an excellent junior team. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit different to take the family, why not book to stay in Sun City, to play on one of the courses there, or visit Leopard Creek course, which has views of the Kruger national park from its fairways. You might just find yourself teaching your kids to swing a club next to a giraffe or two (though good luck keeping their attention if you do).